As Christmas approaches, it is important to remember the true essence of the season.
In a materialistic world, people often want to give and receive the trendiest gifts, but Cross Catholic Outreach in Boca Raton, Florida, likes to remind people of the importance
Amid suffering and despair, further darkened by the coronavirus pandemic, Catholic patriarchs of the Middle East urged their faithful at Christmastime to hold on to hope.
And in Iraq, Christmas was celebrated as a national holiday for the first time; the Iraqi parliament
On a Christmas like no other, Pope Francis prayed for people who could not be with their families because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged everyone to recognize and help those who are suffering even more.
From inside the Hall of Blessings
The birth of Christ is a gift from God that brings people hope and courage in troubled times, Pope Francis said Christmas Eve.
"Underlying all our strengths and weaknesses, stronger than all our past hurts and failures or our fears and concerns about
Christmas messages shared by U.S. Catholic leaders stressed the need to keep hope and faith alive this season particularly in the midst of the challenging pandemic year.
"As 2020 comes to an end, we know that sadly the trials and challenges caused by
Tickets for Masses, virtual holiday concerts, video Christmas cards, and drive-by Nativity scenes: It's beginning to look a lot like a different sort of Christmas.
With COVID-19 contributing to the cancellation of Christmas pageants, caroling and some of the season's most familiar traditions,
While Christmas has become a universal holiday, even for many nonbelievers, its celebration always should focus on the reality that God sent his son into the world to save humanity, Pope Francis said.
Christmas must not be confused with "ephemeral things" that reduce
With Italy returning to a COVID-19 lockdown over the Christmas holidays, the Vatican has announced that most of Pope Francis' usual appointments will be livestreamed with few or no members of the public present.
The pope's midday blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the
Current restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic can help people put Christ, and not the constant need to purchase gifts, at the center of the Christmas season, Pope Francis said.
During his Sunday Angelus address Dec. 20, the pope told pilgrims gathered in
Many Catholics are surprised when they first learn that the celebration of Christmas came rather late, as feasts of Our Lord go, writes Scott Richert in his latest column. The feast of the Epiphany, on the other hand, was celebrated from the